lock assembly for an excavator wear member

ABSTRACT

A lock assembly for an excavator wear assembly, the lock assembly a locking pin having at least one dowel extending outwardly therefrom. The lock assembly also includes a retaining member having a seat and a cavity and a biasing member located within the cavity of the retaining member. The biasing member is adapted to exert a biasing force on the dowel to releasably retain the dowel within the seat of the retaining member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lock assembly for an excavator wear member.In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a lockassembly for releasably securing an excavator tooth to a nose of anexcavator.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Excavator tooth assemblies mounted to the digging edge of excavatorbuckets and the like generally comprise a replaceable digging tooth, anadaptor body and an adaptor nose which is secured by welding or the liketo the digging edge of a bucket or the like. The tooth generally has asocket-like recess at its rear end to receivably locate a front spigotportion of the adaptor nose and a removable locking pin is generallyemployed to releasably secure the tooth on the adaptor.

In use, excavator teeth are subjected to extensive load forces along alongitudinal axis of a tooth as well as in vertical and transversedirections. A snug fit is required between the digging point and thefront portion of the adaptor and also between the adaptor socket and thenose spigot portion and their respective mounting pins to avoidpremature wear between the components. As the various components wear,the locking pins can loosen thereby increasing the risk of loss of adigging point or an entire adaptor/tooth combination. This necessitatesconsiderable downtime to replace the lost wear members and where itemssuch as locking pins are not recovered, these can cause damage and/orfurther downtime in downstream operations such as ore crushing and thelike.

The greatest loads experienced by excavator tooth assemblies arevertical loads which tend to generate large moment forces capable ofrotating a tooth off the front of an adaptor and/or rotating the adaptoroff the adaptor nose. In addition, twisting or “yaw” loads arefrequently imposed on such tooth assemblies.

Despite many prior art attempts to improve the mounting of a wear memberto a nose of an excavator, most of these proposals suffer from one ormore deficiencies. As described hereinafter, many of the prior artreferences relate to direct mounting of a tooth onto a nose without anintermediate adaptor but in those assemblies, the mounting systems forsecuring teeth directly onto excavator noses is considered analogous tothe mounting of a tooth onto an adaptor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,058 describes an excavator tooth having a rearwardlydivergent tapering socket to receive a nose having acomplementary-shaped front spigot portion. Resistance to rotationalmoment forces is borne by a resilient steel cotter pin extending throughaligned vertical apertures in the socket and spigot portions.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,774,324, 4,338,736, 4,481,728, 4,903,420, 5,469,648,7,100,315 and 6,735,890 all describe nose and tooth combinations whereinthe nose has a generally convergently tapering spigot portion with aforward tip having a box-like configuration with at least the upper andlower surfaces thereof having faces parallel to each other and to alongitudinal axis of the nose portion. With the exception of U.S. Pat.No. 4,338,736, which describes a transverse locking pin, each of thetooth mounting arrangements is heavily reliant on a large verticallocking pin to resist rotational moment forces tending to rotate theteeth off respective noses.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,173 describes a tapered adaptor nose having abox-like free end, which engages in a mating box-like socket cavity toresist rotational moments. Opposed pairs of rearwardly extending tonguesengage in corresponding recesses in the outer surfaces of the adaptornose to resist rotational movements. Because the tongues themselves areunsupported, they possess a limited capacity to resist rotational momentforces.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,824 describes a structure similar to that of U.S.Pat. No. 4,231,173 except that the side tongues are of more robustdimensions and the upper and lower tongues are formed as box-likemembers with apertures to receive a vertical mounting pin passingthrough aligned apertures in the tooth and adaptor nose.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,760 provides flat rail surfaces on the adaptor noseto engage with mating grooves in the socket aperture of a correspondingtooth wherein the mating rail and groove surfaces are generally parallelto the longitudinal axis of the tooth.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,138 describes a generally tapered nose having abox-like front end with upper and lower transverse surfaces generallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of a tooth which located directlythereon. The parallel upper and lower transverse surfaces are contiguouswith upper and lower rail surfaces on each side of the nose and parallelto the longitudinal axis of the tooth. A pair of rearwardly extendingside tongues locate in recesses formed in the outer side faces of thenose, ostensibly to resist rotational moment forces in the tooth.Because the side tongues are recessed to accommodate the side railportions, the robustness of the side tongues is somewhat compromised.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,761 describes a fairly stubby tapered nose having abox-like front portion with upper and lower surfaces generally parallelto a longitudinal axis of an excavator tooth, an intermediate rearwardlydiverging tapered portion and a rear portion having upper and lowersurfaces extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of thetooth. Formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the front, intermediateand rear portions Of the nose are spaced parallel reinforcing ribs whichare located in mating grooves in the excavator tooth. A large verticallocking pin extends through aligned apertures in the tooth and nosebetween the reinforcing ribs. This structure is heavily reliant on thelocking pin to resist rotational moment forces however it is consideredthat this configuration may be prone to failure in the rear portion ofthe adaptor.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,043 describes a nose/adaptor combination wherein theadaptor socket tapers convergently towards a box-like front portionhaving upper and lower bearing surfaces generally parallel to alongitudinal axis of the tooth, a front transverse upright bearingsurface and rearwardly divergent bearing surfaces formed at obtuseangles between the converging upper and lower walls and the side wallsof the socket, ostensibly to avoid areas of stress concentration.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,896 describes a pin/retainer system for locking anexcavation tooth onto an adaptor wherein the retainer is inserted in theadaptor and a wedge-shaped pin is driven into aligned apertures in thetooth and adaptor to resiliently engage with the retainer.

United States Publication No US 2002/0000053A1 describes a mechanism forreleasably retaining an adaptor into the nose of a bucket lip or thelike wherein a tapered threaded socket is non-rotatably located on theinside of an aperture in the side wall of the adaptor. A threadedretaining pin extends through the threaded socket and locates in analigned aperture in the bucket nose.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,495 describes a tooth assembly with a two-piecetelescopically engageable adaptor secured to a nose with a tapered wedgepin assembly. A similar mounting system is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,172,501 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,927. Other retention systems fordigging points on adaptors or adaptors on noses are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,119,378, 6,467,204, and 6,467,203.

Other devices for removably securing replaceable wear elements on earthworking equipment such as a retaining pin, a bolt, a pin lock andlocking blocks engageable in a top aperture in a wear, member aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,839,805, 3,982,339, 4,587,751, 5,088,214and 5,653,048 respectively.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,550 describes a lock assembly for releasablysecuring an adaptor to a nose of an excavator support structure. Thelock assembly comprises a body and a base coupled together and adaptedfor insertion, while coupled together, in a hole in the nose of thesupport structure. The length of the lock assembly is extended to securethe adaptor and is retracted to release the adaptor. While adequate forsecuring an adaptor to a nose of an excavator support structure, thelock described in this patent is relatively complex in design andoperation leading to high costs and labour intensive extractionprocedures in the field.

Canadian Patent Application No 2,161,505 describes a system forremovably retaining an excavation point on an adaptor with at least oneflanged sleeve having a screw-threaded aperture therein, the flangedsleeve being non-rotatably locatable in a transverse bore in the adaptorbefore fitment of the point onto the adaptor. A screw-threaded pin isinserted into the sleeve via an aperture in the point whereby portion ofthe head of the pin retains the point on the adaptor.

Australian Patent Application No. 2003264586 describes a locking pinassembly comprising a body member having a non-circular cross-sectionalshape locatable in a bore of complementary shape extending laterallybetween opposite sides of an excavator lip mounting nose. After locatingthe body member in the nose aperture, an adaptor can be engaged over thenose with apertures in opposite side walls aligned with the body member.Threaded bolts engage in threaded apertures in opposite ends of the bodymember, the bolts each having a tapered shank portion with an enlargedboss at a free end thereof, the boss being locatable in a respectiveaperture in a side wall of said adaptor to prevent the adaptor fromdisengaging with the nose.

While generally satisfactory for their intended purpose, theabovementioned prior art all suffer from one or more shortcomings ordisadvantages in terms of inadequate resistance to rotation of a toothoff a nose or an adaptor under the influence of vertical loads applyinga rotational moment to the tooth, a predisposition to premature wear,difficulties in retention of the teeth on noses or adaptors, inadequatelocking systems and unduly complicated configurations giving rise toincreased fabrication costs. Furthermore, the prior art all generallyrely on lock assemblies that require threaded components. Threadcomponents in lock assemblies are generally disadvantageous as dirt andfines can infiltrate the threaded assembly thereby causing cementationand resulting in difficulties in removal.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome or at least alleviate oneor more of the above problems and/or provide the consumer with a usefulor commercial choice.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadestform, the invention resides in a lock assembly for an excavator wearassembly, the lock assembly comprising:

-   -   a locking pin having at least one dowel extending outwardly        therefrom;    -   a retaining member having a seat and a cavity; and    -   a biasing member located within the cavity of the retaining        member;    -   wherein the biasing member is adapted to exert a biasing force        on the dowel to releasably retain the dowel within the seat of        the retaining member.

Preferably, the retaining member has a ramp extending from within thecavity of the retaining member and terminating outwardly of an exteriorsurface of the retaining member.

Suitably, a detent extends outwardly from a body of the retainingmember.

Preferably, at least one slot is located through an exterior surface ofthe retaining member.

Suitably, the at least one slot is adapted to receive the dowel of thelocking pin.

Suitably, the biasing member is releasably secured within the cavity ofthe retaining member.

Preferably, wherein the seat is formed on an underside of an exteriorsurface of the retaining member.

Preferably, the seat is axially offset from a slot formed in an exteriorsurface of the retaining member.

Preferably, a passage is formed between an upper face of the biasingmember and an underside of an exterior surface of the retaining member.

Suitably, the seat forms part of the passage.

In a preferred form, a land forms part of the passage such that thedistance between the land and the upper face of the biasing member issmaller than a cross sectional dimension of the dowel.

Optionally, an angled guide surface forms part of the passage, theangled guide surface extending from a slot formed in an exterior surfaceof the retaining member towards the seat.

Suitably, the passage is adapted to receive the dowel when the lockingpin is axially rotated such that the dowel is forced against a surfaceof the biasing member within the passage prior to location of the dowelwithin the seat.

In a further form, the invention resides in an excavator wear membercomprising:

-   -   a locking aperture extending through a side wall of the        excavator wear member, the locking aperture having a receiving        passage and a retaining recess;    -   wherein, the receiving passage extends inwardly from an outer        face of the side wall and the retaining recess is located on an        inner face of mounting ear such that the receiving passage        terminates at retaining recess.

Preferably, the excavator wear member further comprises a body and amounting ear extending rearwardly of the body, the locking apertureextending through the mounting ear.

Suitably, a locking face is located at an inner end of the retainingrecess.

Optionally, a pair of slots extend outwardly from diametrically opposedsides of the receiving passage.

Optionally, a ramp extends about an inner face of receiving passage.

Suitably, the ramp commences adjacent an outer end of the receivingpassage and extends circumferentially about an inner face of receivingpassage to terminate adjacent the retaining recess.

Conveniently, two ramps extend about an inner face of the receivingpassage from diametrically opposing sides thereof.

Preferably, a blind slot extends outwardly of a main portion of theretaining recess.

In a preferred form, the receiving passage has a generally circular mainportion and the retaining recess has a generally circular main portion,wherein the generally circular main portion of the receiving passage isconcentric with the generally circular main portion of the retainingrecess.

Suitably, the generally circular main portion of the retaining recesshas a larger diameter than the generally circular main portion of thereceiving recess.

In still a further form, the invention resides in an excavator wearassembly comprising:

-   -   an excavator wear member having a socket cavity and locking        aperture extending through a side wall of the excavator wear        member, the locking aperture having a receiving passage and a        retaining recess;    -   a locking pin having at least one dowel extending outwardly        therefrom;    -   a retaining member located within the retaining recess of the        locking aperture, the retaining member having a seat and a        cavity;    -   a biasing member located within the cavity of the retaining        member; and    -   an adaptor having a spigot portion located within the socket        cavity of the excavator wear member and a retaining passage;    -   wherein the locking pin is located through the locking aperture        of the excavator wear member and the retaining passage of the        adaptor and wherein the biasing member is adapted to exert a        biasing force on the dowel of the locking in to retain the dowel        within the seat of the retaining member to thereby releasably        retain the spigot portion of the adaptor within the socket        cavity of the excavator wear member.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilledin the art to put the invention into practical effect preferredembodiments of the invention will be described by way of example onlywith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an excavator wear assembly accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B shows an exploded perspective view of the excavator wearassembly shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A shows a reverse perspective view of a tooth forming part of theexcavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B shows a rear perspective view of the tooth shown in FIG. 2A

FIG. 2C shows a sectional perspective view of the tooth shown in FIG.2A;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a lock assembly shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B shows an exploded perspective view of the lock assembly shown inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A shows an underside perspective view of a retaining memberforming part of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4B shows a topside perspective view of the retaining member shownin FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a keeper forming part of the lockassembly shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 6A shows a sectional perspective view of components of the lockassembly shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 6B shows a transverse sectional perspective view of components ofthe lock assembly shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 7A shows a side perspective view of components of the lockingassembly shown in FIG. 3A located within a tooth;

FIG. 7B shows a rear perspective view Of the view shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C shows a top sectional view of the view shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A shows a sectional perspective view of the tooth located on theadaptor;

FIG. 8B shows a sectional top view of the tooth located on the adaptor;

FIG. 9A shows locking pin forming part of the lock assembly locatedthrough aligned apertures in the tooth and passage in the adaptor, thelocking pin positioned in the locked position;

FIG. 9B shows a sectional view of the lock assembly in the lockedposition;

FIG. 10A shows a sectional top view of the lock assembling in the lockedposition with a keeper associated therewith;

FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the excavator wear assembly shownin FIG. 1A;

FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of a lock assembly according to afurther embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11B shows an exploded perspective view of the lock assembly shownin FIG. 11A

FIG. 12A shows a topside perspective view of a retaining member formingpart of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12B shows a further topside perspective view of the retainingmember shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C shows an underside perspective view of the retaining membershown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12D shows a further underside perspective view of the retainingmember shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 shows a topside perspective view of a biasing member formingpart of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 14A shows a sectional side view of the retaining member and biasingmember forming part of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 14B shows an orthogonal sectional side of the retaining member andbiasing member shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15A shows an underside perspective view of a keeper member formingpart of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 15B shows a perspective view of the keeper member shown in FIG.15A;

FIG. 16A shows a perspective view of a tooth according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16B shows a further perspective view of the tooth shown in FIG.16A;

FIG. 16C shows a further perspective view of the tooth shown in FIG.16A;

FIG. 17A shows an internal perspective view of components of the lockingassembly shown in FIG. 14A located within a tooth;

FIG. 17B shows a reverse front perspective view of the components shownin FIG. 17A;

FIG. 17C shows a forward front perspective view of the components shownin FIG. 17A;

FIG. 17D shows a sectional top view of the components shown in FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18A shows a sectional top view of the lock assembly in the lockedposition with a keeper associated therewith; and

FIG. 18B shows an internal perspective view of the keep shown in FIG.18A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The excavator wear assembly and lock assembly therefore are describedwith reference to an excavator wear member in the form of a toothreleasably secured to an adaptor. The adaptor is in turn secured to anose of an excavator bucket or the like. A skilled addressee willappreciate that the invention may be employed to releasably secure anadaptor to a nose or a tooth directly to a nose of an excavator bucketlip.

Furthermore, the lock assembly may be utilized in other applicationssuch as a retaining pin for components in dragline excavator rigging andthe like.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an excavator wear assembly 1000according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B shows an explodedperspective view of the excavator wear assembly 1000. Excavator wearassembly 1000 comprises a wear member in the form of a tooth 1100mountable on an adaptor 1200 and a lock assembly 1300 adapted toreleasably secure tooth 1100 on adaptor 1200 as will be discussed ingreater detail below.

Adaptor 1200 is suitably configured for mounting on a digging edge of anexcavator by way of an adaptor socket 1210. Adaptor socket 1210 isformed in a shape complimentary with a nose of an excavator digging edge(not Shown).

Adaptor 1200 has aligned transverse apertures 1221 each extendingthrough a respective opposed side wall 1220. Aligned transverseapertures 1221 are adapted to receive an adaptor retaining pin (notshown) which extends through aligned transverse apertures 1221 and anadaptor retaining pin passage in the complimentary shaped nose (notshown) to thereby retain the adaptor 1200 on the excavator digging edge.

Additionally, adaptor 1200 has a pair of side wall mounting recesses1203 and 1204 located in a forward portion of respective opposed sidewall 1220.

Adaptor 1200 further includes a spigot portion 1230 extending from aforward portion thereof. Spigot portion 1230 has converging upper andlower rear bearing surfaces 1231, 1232 which terminate at substantiallyparallel upper and lower forward bearing surfaces 1233, 1234respectively. A front bearing face 1235 is disposed between upperforward bearing surface 1233 and lower forward bearing surface 1234.

Spigot portion 1230 also has a retaining passage 1237 extendingtherethrough between opposed side walls 1236 thereof.

FIG. 2A shows a reverse perspective view of wear member in the form oftooth 1100. FIG. 2B shows a rear perspective view of the tooth 1100 andFIG. 2C shows a sectional perspective view of the tooth 1100.

Tooth 1100 has a forwardly projecting working end 1101 and a socketcavity 1110 formed from converging upper and lower rear bearing surfaces1111 and 1112 respectively. Each of upper and lower bearing surfaces1111 and 1112 terminate at substantially parallel upper and lowerforward bearing surfaces 1113 and 1114 respectively. A front bearingface 1115 is disposed between upper forward bearing surface 1113 andlower forward bearing surface 1114.

Bearing surfaces 1111, 1112, 1113, and 1114 and front bearing face 1115of tooth socket 1110 are configured to be complimentary with bearingsurfaces 1231, 1232, 1233 and 1234 and front bearing face 1235respectively of spigot portion 1230 of adaptor 1200. Socket cavity 1110is adapted to receive spigot portion 1230 of adaptor 1200.

Tooth 1100 further includes mounting ears 1103 and 1104 extendingrearwardly of tooth body 1102 from opposed sides thereof. In usemounting ears 1103 and 1104 are adapted to be located within mountingrecesses 1203 and 1204 respectively of adaptor 1200.

Additionally, a toe aperture 1130 extends through mounting ear 1103 anda locking aperture 1120 extends through opposed mounting ear 1104 asshown. In use, toe aperture 1130 and locking aperture 1120 are adaptedto at least partially align with retaining passage 1237 of adaptor 1200.

Toe aperture 1130 is generally circular in cross section and extendsthrough mounting ear 1103 as shown.

Locking aperture 1120 extends through mounting ear 1104 and is formedfrom a receiving passage 1121 and a retaining recess 1125. Optionally,locking aperture 1120 may extend through any wall of the tooth 1100

Receiving passage 1121 extends inwardly from an outer face of tooth 1100and terminates at retaining recess 1125 located on an inner face ofmounting ear 1104.

Receiving passage 1121 has a generally circular main portion 1122 and apair of slots 1123 extending outwardly from diametrically opposed sidesthereof.

Retaining recess 1125 has a generally circular main portion 1126 and ablind slot 1127 extending outwardly from circular main portion 1126.Circular main portion 1126 of retaining recess 1125 is concentric withcircular main portion 1122 of receiving passage 1121 with circular mainportion 1126 having a relatively larger diameter thereby forming alocking face 1128 at an inner end of retaining recess 1125.

Similarly, blind slot 1127 generally corresponds with one of slots 1123of receiving passage 1123 with blind slot 1127 having a relativelylarger cross sectional area than each of slots 1123.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of lock assembly 1300 in a lockedposition and FIG. 3B shows an exploded perspective view of lock assembly1300.

Lock assembly 1300 comprises a locking pin 1310, a biasing member 1320,a retaining member 1330, a keeper 1340 and a compression washer 1350.Lock assembly further comprises a pair of washers 1301,1302 adapted tolocate against opposed faces of biasing member 1320.

Locking pin 1310 has a main portion 1312 and a pair of dowels 1311extending outwardly from main portion 1312 and an end thereof fromdiametrically opposed sides thereof. Dowels 1311 are adapted to bereceived through respective slots 1123 of receiving passage 1121 as willbe discussed in greater detail below.

Locking pin 1310 also has a toe portion 1313 extending from an end ofmain portion 1312 distal dowels 1311. Locking pin 1310 further comprisesa recess 1314 (not shown in FIG. 3A or 3B) located in an end thereofadjacent dowels 1311.

Compression washer 1350 is securely located about toe portion 1313adjacent main portion 1312.

Toe portion 1313 is adapted to be located in toe aperture 1130 of tooth1100 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Biasing member 1320 is generally circular in shape and has an aperture1321 extending therethrough. Biasing member 1320 is formed from aresiliently deformable plastic or the like and is adapted to be locatedabout main portion 1312 of locking pin 1310. Biasing member 1320 furtherincludes an annular ridge 1322 extending circumferentially about anouter surface thereof.

In use, washers 1301, 1302 adapted to locate against opposed faces ofbiasing member 1320 such that washer 1302 bears against an inner surfaceof each dowel 1311 when locking assembly is in the locked position.

FIG. 4A shows an underside perspective view of retaining member 1330 andFIG. 4B shows a topside perspective view of retaining member 1330.

Retaining member has a body 1331 formed from a generally planar circulartop surface 1332 having an aperture 1332A and an annular wall 1333extending downwardly from top surface 1332 thereby forming a cavity 1334adapted to locate biasing member 1320 therein as will be discussedfurther below. A detent 1335 extends outwardly from body 1331 as shown.Body 1331 is adapted to be received in circular main portion 1126 ofretaining recess 1125 and detent 1335 is adapted to be received in blindslot 1127 of retaining recess 1125.

Retaining member 1330 further includes an annular valley 1337 extendingcircumferentially about an inner face of annular wall 1333 as shown.

A pair of slots 1336 are located on top surface 1332 such that slots are1336 are diametrically opposed about top surface 1332. Slots 1336 areadapted to receive dowels 1311 of locking pin 1310.

A pair of seats 1338 are located on diametrically opposing sides of anunderside of top surface 1332 as shown. Each seat 1338 is adapted tolocate a dowel 1311 of locking pin 1310 when locking assembly 1300 is inthe locked position.

Retaining member 1330 further includes a number of angled guide surfaces1339 on an underside of top surface 1332 with each angled guide surface1339 extending from a respective slot 1336 to a land 1339A such thateach land 1339A is disposed between a respective angled guide surface1339 and a seat 1338.

Suitably, each seat 1338 is axially offset from a slot 1336. Preferably,each seat is axially offset by 90 degrees from each slot 1336.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of keeper 1340 forming part of lockingassembly 1300.

Keeper 1340 has a generally circular top portion 1341 and a pair of legs1342 extending from diametrically opposed sides of top portion 1341.Each leg 1342 is adapted to be received through a slot 1123 of receivingpassage 1121 of tooth 1100 and terminate in a respective slot 1335 ofretaining member 1330 when lock assembly 1300 is in the locked position.

Keeper 1340 further includes a plug 1343 extending from a central regionof an underside of top portion 1341. Plug 1343 is adapted to be securelylocated within recess 1314 of locking pin 1310.

Lock assembly 1300 is adapted to releasably secure tooth 1100 on adaptor1200.

FIG. 6A shows a sectional view of washers 1301, 1302 and biasing member1320 located within cavity 1334 of retaining member 1330 and FIG. 6Bshows a transverse sectional view of this arrangement.

As shown, annular ridge 1322 of biasing member 1320 is located withinannular valley 1337 of retaining member 1330 such that biasing member1320 is securely located within cavity 1334.

In a preferred embodiment, washers 1301, 1302 are non-removably securedto opposing faces of biasing member 1320 by means of an adhesive or thelike.

In an optional embodiment, the biasing member 1320 may be permanentlysecured within cavity 1334 of retaining member 1330 by means of achemical fastener or the like.

The retaining member 1330 is then located within retaining recess 1125of locking aperture 1120 of tooth 1100 as shown in FIG. 7A, 7B and 7C.

In this position, detent 1335 is located within blind slot 1127 therebynon-rotatably locating retaining member 1330 within retaining recess1125. Furthermore, top surface 1332 of retaining member 1330 abutslocking face 1128 as shown.

Furthermore, slots 1336 of retaining member 1330 align with andcorrespond to slots 1123 of receiving passage 1121 of tooth 1100 asshown.

In an optional embodiment, retaining member 1330 may be permanentlysecured within retaining recess of locking aperture 1120 of tooth bymeans of a chemical fastener or the like such that tooth 1100 isprovided in the arrangement as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. Alternatively,retaining member 1330 may be integrally formed with tooth 1100.

The tooth 1100 is then slidably mounted onto adaptor 1200 such thatspigot portion 1230 is located within socket cavity 1110 of tooth 1100as previously discussed and as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B.

In this position, the retaining member 1330 is captively retained inretaining recess 1124 of tooth 1100 in view of retaining recess 1124being coaxial with retaining passage 1237 of adaptor 1200. In this way,an outer face of washer 1301 and a lower face of annular wall 1333 ofretaining member 1330 both contact an outer face of side wall 1236 ofspigot portion 1230 to thereby captively retain retaining member 1330 inretaining recess 1124 a shown.

Retaining pin 1310 of lock assembly 1300 is then located through atleast partially aligned locking aperture 1120, retaining passage 1237and toe aperture 1120 as shown in FIG. 9A in order to place the lockassembly 1300 in the locked position to releasably retain tooth 1100 onadaptor 1200. FIG. 9B shows a section perspective view of lockingassembly 1300 in the locked position with the adaptor 1200 and tooth1100 removed from the view for clarity.

Toe portion 1313 of locking pin 1310 is first located through lockingaperture 1120 of tooth 1100. Toe portion 1313 travels through receivingpassage 1121 of locking aperture 1120, aligned aperture 1332A ofretaining member and 1321 of biasing member 1320 and into retainingpassage 1237 of spigot portion 1230 of adaptor 1200.

In this position, or prior to insertion, locking pin is rotated axiallyabout a longitudinal axis thereof such that dowels 1311 are generallycoplanar with a plane formed by aligned slots 1336 of retaining member1330 and slots 1123 of receiving passage 1121 of tooth 1100.

In this orientation of locking pin 1310, dowels 1311 are receivedthrough respective aligned slots 1336 and 1123 as locking pin 1310 isfurther translated within retaining passage until a face of each dowelcontacts 1311 contacts an outer face of washer 1302. At this stage ofinsertion, toe portion 1313 is located within toe aperture 1130 of tooth1100 as shown.

In this position, lock assembly 1300 is in the insertion position. Inorder to move lock assembly to the locked position as shown in FIGS. 9Aand 9B, locking pin 1310 is rotated axially about a longitudinal axisthereof in order to move each dowel 1311 away from a respective slot1336 into a respective seat 1338 of retaining member 1300.

Each dowel 1311 has a diameter that is greater in length than a lengthbetween an outer face of washer 1302 and an inner surface of land 1339A.As such, as locking pin 1310 is axially rotated, a face of each dowel1311 is urged into abutment with a face of a respective angled guidesurface 1339 whilst an opposing face of each dowel 1311 remains incontact with an outer face of washer 1302.

As previously discussed, biasing member 1200 is formed from aresiliently deformable material such that as the locking pin 1310 isaxially rotated and each dowel 1311 travels against a respective angledguide surface 1339, biasing member 1320 is thereby compressed.

When a face of each dowel 1311 bears against a face of a respective land1339A, biasing member is at full compression. As the locking pin 1310continues to be axially rotated, a face of each dowel 1311 is urged bythe compressive force of biasing member 1320 into a respective seat1338.

In this position, a face of each dowel 1311 is held in firm abutmentwith a face of seat 1338 by a biasing force supplied by biasing member1320 in order to captively retain locking pin 1310 within partiallyaligned locking aperture 1120, retaining passage 1237 and toe aperture1120 as shown.

Suitably, a power tool is used to axially rotate locking pin 1310 suchthat a sufficient force is used to overcome the biasing force of biasingmember 1320. Furthermore, locking pin may be rotated in either axialdirection in order to move lock assembly 1300 into the locked positionfrom the insertion position.

In the locked position, compression washer 1350 extends about toeportion 1313 within retaining passage 1237 or adaptor 1200 adjacent toeaperture 1130 in order to prevent the ingress of fines and the liketherein.

Keeper 1340 is then located within locking aperture 1120 as shown inFIG. 10A and FIG. 10B. Plug 1343 is located within recess 1314 by way ofan interference fit in order that keeper 1340 is secured to locking pin1310. Furthermore, legs 1342 extend through slots 1123 from an outerextent thereof and terminate within cavity 1334 of retaining member1330.

In this way, the location of legs 1342 ensure that locking pin 1310cannot rotate to a position such that dowels are in alignment with slots1336 in the event that the locking pin 1310 is subjected to largerotational loads during use. Keeper 1340 also prevents ingress of finesand the like into locking aperture 1120.

In order to move lock assembly 1300 to the insertion position, thekeeper 1340 is removed and the locking pin 1310 is suitably rotated inorder that dowels 1311 align with respective aligned slots 1336 and 1123in order that locking pin 1310 may be withdrawn to remove tooth 1100from adaptor 1200.

FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of a lock assembly 2300 according to afurther embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11B shows an explodedperspective view of lock assembly 2300.

Lock assembly 2300 has a locking pin 1310 as previously described. Lockassembly 2300 also comprises a biasing member 2320, a retaining member2330 and a keeper 2340 as discussed in greater below.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 11A, when biasing member 2320, retainingmember 2330 and keeper 2340 are fitted to locking pin 1310, a channel1315 is formed between keeper 2340 and retaining member 2330.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B show top side perspective views of retainingmember 2330 forming part of the lock assembly 2300. FIG. 12C and FIG.12D show underside perspective views of retaining member 2330.

Retaining member 2330 has a body 2331 having an aperture 2332A extendingthrough a top surface 2332 thereof. An annular wall 2333 extendsdownwardly from top surface 2332 thereby forming a cavity 2334 adaptedto locate biasing member 2320 therein as will be discussed in furtherdetail below. A detent extends 2335 extends outwardly from body 2331 asshown.

Retaining member 2330 further includes an annular valley 2337 extendingcircumferentially about an inner face of annular wall 2333 as shown.

A pair of slots 2336 are located on top surface 2332 such that slots2336 are diametrically opposed about top surface 2332. Slots 2336 areadapted to receive dowels 1311 of locking pin 1310.

A pair of seats 2338 are located on diametrically opposing sides of anunderside of top surface 2332 as shown. Each seat 2338 is adapted tolocate a dowel 1311 of locking pin 1310 when locking assembly 1300 is inthe locked position.

Retaining member 2330 further includes a number of angled guide surfaces2339 on an underside of top surface 2332 with each angled guide surface2339 extending from a respective slot 2336 to a land 2339A such thateach land 2339A is disposed between a respective angled guide surface2339 and a seat 2338.

As shown each seat 2338 is axially offset from a slot 2336. Preferably,each seat is axially offset by 90 degrees from each slot 2336.

Retaining member 2330 further includes a pair of ramps 2360 each havinga guide surface 2361 that extends from within cavity 2334 about an innerface of annular wall 2333 and terminates outwardly of an exteriorsurface in the form of top surface 2332 as shown.

Guide surface 2361 is adapted to guide a respective dowel 1311 oflocking pin 1310 when locking pin 1310 is being removed from excavatorwear assembly as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Each ramp 2360 has an abutment face 2362 extending outwardly from topsurface 2332 and terminating at guide surface 2361. Furthermore, alocating corner 2363 is located on an underside of each ramp 2360adjacent a respective seat 2338. Each ramp 2360 also includes anabutment surface 2364 adapted to engage with a surface of biasing member2320 as will be discussed below.

FIG. 13 shows a topside perspective view of biasing member 2320 formingpart of the lock assembly 2300. Biasing member 2320 is adapted to belocated within cavity 2334 of retaining member 2330 as will be discussedin greater detail below.

Biasing member 2320 is generally annular in shape and has an aperture2321 extending therethrough. Biasing member 2320 is formed from aresiliently deformable plastic or the like and is adapted to be locatedabout main portion 1312 of locking pin 1310.

Biasing member 2320 includes an annular ridge 2322 extendingcircumferentially about an outer surface thereof. Annular ridge 2322 isadapted to be located within annular valley 2237 of retaining member2330.

Biasing member 2320 further includes a locating surface 2323 and a pairof abutment portions 2327 extending outwardly from locating surface 2323as shown. Locating surface 2323 is adapted to oppose and engage abutmentsurface 2364 of retaining member 2330.

Each abutment portion has a seat 2324, a retaining surface 2325 and atapered surface 2326. The seat is adapted to be located within arespective locating corner 2363 of retaining member 2330.

FIG. 14A shows a sectional side view of biasing member 2320 locatedwithin aperture 2334 of retaining member 2330 and FIG. 14B shows anorthogonal sectional side view.

As shown, annular ridge 2322 of biasing member 2320 is located withinannular valley 2337 of retaining member 2330. Furthermore, each locatingsurface 2323 opposes and engages abutment surface 2364 of retainingmember 2330. In this way, biasing member 1320 is securely located withincavity 1334. Furthermore, each seat 2324 is located within a respectivelocating corner 2363.

In an optional embodiment, the biasing member 2320 may be permanentlysecured within cavity 2334 of retaining member 2330 by means of achemical fastener or the like.

FIG. 15A shows an underside perspective view of a keeper member 2340forming part of lock assembly 2300 and FIG. 15B shows a perspective viewof the keeper member 2340.

Keeper 2340 has a generally circular top portion 2341 and a pair of legs2342 extending from diametrically opposed sides of top portion 2341.

Each leg 2342 has a tapered face 2344 and a locating face 2345 creatinga arcuate cutout 2346 between adjacent legs 2342 as shown. Each taperededge 2344 and each locating edge 2345 are adapted to abut complementaryfaces located within a locking aperture of a tooth as discussed ingreater detail below.

Keeper 2340 further includes a plug 2343 extending from a central regionof an underside of top portion 2341. Plug 2343 is adapted to be securelylocated within recess 1314 of locking pin 1310.

FIG. 16A shows a perspective view of a tooth 2100 according to a furtherembodiment of the invention. FIG. 16B shows a reverse perspective viewof tooth 2100 and FIG. 16C shows a further perspective view of tooth2100.

As in the previous embodiment, locking aperture 2120 extends throughmounting ear 1104 and is formed from a receiving passage 2121 and aretaining recess 2125.

Receiving passage 2121 extends inwardly from an outer face of tooth 2100and terminates at retaining recess 2125 located on an inner face ofmounting ear 1104.

Receiving passage 2121 has a generally circular main portion 2122 and apair of ramps 2124 extending about an inner face of receiving passage2121 such that each ramp starts from diametrically opposite sides ofreceiving passage 2121 adjacent an outer end thereof and traverse a halfcircumferential path about inner face of receiving passage to terminateadjacent retaining recess 2125.

Each ramp 2124 defines an outwardly facing insertion face 2124A and aninwardly face withdrawal face 2124B.

Slots 2123 are formed on diametrically opposed sides of an inner face ofreceiving passage 2121 between a head portion 2124C of one ramp 2124 anda tail portion 2124D of the opposed ramp 2124 as shown. Slots 2123 areadapted to receive dowels 1311 of locking pin 1310.

Retaining recess 2125 has a generally circular main portion 2126 and ablind slot 2127 extending outwardly from circular main portion 1126.Circular main portion 2126 of retaining recess 2125 is concentric withcircular main portion 2122 of receiving passage 2121 with circular mainportion 2126 having a relatively larger diameter thereby forming alocking face 2128 at an inner end of retaining recess 2125.

As in the previous embodiment, lock assembly 2300 is adapted toreleasably secure a wear member in the form of tooth 2100 on adaptor1200.

After locating biasing member 2320 within cavity 2334 of retainingmember 2330 as previously discussed, retaining member 2320 is locatedwithin retaining recess 2125 of locking aperture 2120 of tooth 2100 asshown in FIG. 17A-FIG. 17D.

As shown, in this position detent 2335 is located within blind slot 2127thereby non-rotatably locating retaining member 2330 within retainingrecess 2125.

Furthermore, top surface 2332 of retaining member 2330 abuts lockingface 2128 as shown.

Abutment face 2362 of each ramp 2360 of retaining member 2330 engages aface of toe portion 2124D of a respective ramp 2124 in receiving passage2121 thereby aligning each guide surface 2361 of retaining member 2330with a respective outwardly facing insertion face 2124A of each ramp2124 as shown.

In this arrangement, twin helical slots 2800 are formed to enablepassage within a helical slot 2800 of a respective dowel 1311 of lockingpin 1310 to a respective seat 2338 of retaining member 2330 as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

Each helical slot 2800 is formed by the passage between guide surface2361 and withdrawal face 2124B of a respective ramp 2124. The helicalslot 2800 then extends to slot 2336 of retaining member 2330, continuesbetween retaining surface 2325 of biasing. member 2320 and angled guidesurface 2339 of retaining member 2330, traverses between retainingsurface 2325 of biasing member 2320 and land 2339A of retaining member2330 before terminating at seat 2338 of retaining member 2330.

In an optional embodiment, retaining member 2330 may be permanentlysecured within retaining recess of locking aperture 2120 of tooth 2100by means of a chemical fastener or the like such that tooth 2100 isprovided in the arrangement as shown in FIGS. 17A-17D. Alternatively,retaining member 2330 alone may be integrally formed with tooth 2100.

The tooth 2100 is then slidably mounted onto adaptor 1200 such thatspigot portion 1230 is located within socket cavity 1110 of tooth 1100as previously discussed and locking pin 1310 of lock assembly 2300 isthen located through at least partially aligned locking aperture 2120,retaining passage 1237 and toe aperture 2130, as shown in FIG. 18A, inorder to place the lock assembly 1300 in the locked position toreleasably retain tooth 2100 on adaptor 1200.

In this position, the retaining member 2330 is captively retained inretaining recess 2124 of tooth 2100 in view of retaining recess 2124being coaxial with retaining passage 1237 of adaptor 1200 as previouslydiscussed.

In order to move the lock assembly 2300 to a locked position therebyreleasably securing 2100 on adaptor 1220, toe portion 1313 of lockingpin 1310 is first located through locking aperture 2120 of tooth 2100.Toe portion 1313 travels through receiving passage 2121 of lockingaperture 2120, aligned aperture 2332A of retaining member and aperture2321 of biasing member 2320 and into retaining passage 1237 of spigotportion 1230 of adaptor 1200.

Dowels 1311 traverse within helical slots 2800 commencing travel fromthe portion of a respective helical slot 2800 formed by opposing facesof the guide surface 2361 of ramp 2360 and the withdrawal face 2124B ofa respective ramp 2124.

The travel of each dowel 1311 within a respective helical slot 2800causes locking pin 1310 to locate within the aligned apertures and alsourges rotation of the locking pin 1310 about a longitudinal axisthereof.

This translation continues until a face of each dowel 1311 contactsretaining surface 2325 of biasing member 2320. At this stage ofinsertion, toe portion 1313 is located within toe aperture 2130 of tooth2100 as shown.

In order to completely translate lock assembly 2300 to the lockedposition as shown in FIG. 18A, locking pin 1310 is rotated axially abouta longitudinal axis thereof in order to move each dowel 1311 into arespective seat 2338 of retaining member 2300.

Each dowel 1311 has a diameter that is greater in length than a width ofhelical slot 2800 formed at that point between retaining surface 2325and an inner surface of land 1339A. As such, as locking pin 1310 isaxially rotated, a face of each dowel 1311 is urged into abutment with aface of a respective angled guide surface. 2339 whilst an opposing faceof each dowel 1311 remains in contact with retaining surface 2325.

As previously discussed, biasing member 2320 is formed from aresiliently deformable material such that as the locking pin 1310 isaxially rotated and each dowel 1311 travels against a respective angledguide surface 2339, biasing member 2320 is thereby compressed.

When a face of each dowel 1311 bears against a face of a respective land2339A, biasing member 2320 is at full compression. As the locking pin1310 continues to be axially rotated, a face of each dowel 1311 is urgedby the compressive force of biasing member 2320 into a respective seat2338.

Suitably, a power tool is used to axially rotate locking pin 1310 andurge each dowel 1311 to traverse a respective helical slot 2800 suchthat a sufficient force is used to overcome the biasing force of biasingmember 2320.

In this position, a face of each dowel 1311 is held in firm abutmentwith a face of seat 2338 by the biasing force supplied by biasing member2320 in order to captively retain locking pin 1310 within partiallyaligned locking aperture 2120, retaining passage 1237 and toe aperture2130 as shown. As such, wear member in the form of tooth 2100 isreleasably secured to adaptor 1200 by lock assembly 2300.

Keeper 2340 is then located within locking aperture 1120 as shown inFIG. 18B. Plug 2343 is located within recess 1314 by way of aninterference fit in order that keeper 2340 is secured to locking pin1310. Furthermore, legs 2342 extend between the ramps 2124 of receivingpassage 2121.

Keeper 2340 prevents ingress of fines and the like into locking aperture2120.

The embodiment of the locking pin 2300 and tooth 2100 discussed abovehas particular advantages when it is time to replace tooth 2100 due towear.

The keeper member 2340 is first removed. A power tool is then used toaxially rotate locking pin 1310 and urge each dowel 1311 to traverse arespective helical slot 2800 out from a respective seat 2800 against thebiasing force of biasing member 2320. Each dowel 1311 travels along arespective helical slot 2800 and that translation urges locking pin 1310to begin to eject outwardly of locking aperture 2120.

An outward end of locking pin 1310 is then available, in order to drawthe locking pin entirely from the aligned apertures and thus removetooth 2100 from adaptor 1200.

The ejection of locking pin 1310 from locking aperture 2120 as aconsequence of a power tool axially rotating locking pin 1310 asdescribed above is particularly advantageous in circumstances where thelocking pin 1310 becomes cemented within retaining passage 1237 ofspigot portion 1230 of adaptor 1200 through ingress of fines andmoisture. The powered axial rotation is sufficient to overcome the forceof the cementation and partially eject the pin 1310 to provide purchasefor further withdrawal.

The excavator wear assembly of the invention and the lock assembly forsecuring the wear member in the form of a tooth to an adaptor avoids theneed for threaded components and complex parts. Furthermore, the lockassembly avoids the need for heavy hammers and the like for mountingwithin the respective retaining apertures and retaining cavities. Inthis way, the invention provides for an effective method of releasablysecuring the tooth to the adaptor.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the inventionwithout limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specificcollection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realizevariations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fallwithin the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that various other changes and modifications maybe made to the embodiment described without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

In this specification, where different embodiments share identicalfeatures, common reference numbers are used to identify those identicalfeatures.

1. A lock assembly for an excavator wear assembly, the lock assemblycomprising: a locking pin having at least one dowel extending outwardlytherefrom; a retaining member having a seat and a cavity; and a biasingmember located within the cavity of the retaining member; wherein thebiasing member is adapted to exert a biasing force on the dowel toreleasably retain the dowel within the seat of the retaining member. 2.The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining member has a rampextending from within the cavity of the retaining member and terminatingoutwardly of an exterior surface of the retaining member.
 3. The lockassembly of claim 1, wherein a detent extends outwardly from a body ofthe retaining member.
 4. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein at leastone slot is located through an exterior surface of the retaining member.5. The lock assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one slot isadapted to receive the dowel of the locking pin.
 6. The lock assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the biasing member is releasably secured within thecavity of the retaining member.
 7. The lock assembly of claim 1, whereinthe seat is formed on an underside of an exterior surface of theretaining member.
 8. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat isaxially offset from a slot formed in an exterior surface of theretaining member.
 9. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein a passage isformed between an upper face of the biasing member and an underside ofan exterior surface of the retaining member.
 10. The lock assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the seat forms part of the passage.
 11. The lockassembly of claim 9, wherein a land forms part of the passage such thatthe distance between the land and the upper face of the biasing memberis smaller than a cross sectional dimension of the dowel.
 12. The lockassembly of claim 9, wherein an angled guide surface forms part of thepassage, the angled guide surface extending from a slot formed in anexterior surface of the retaining member towards the seat.
 13. The lockassembly of claim 9, wherein the passage is adapted to receive the dowelwhen the locking pin is axially rotated such that the dowel is forcedagainst a surface of the biasing member within the passage prior tolocation of the dowel within the seat.
 14. An excavator wear membercomprising: a locking aperture extending through a side wall of theexcavator wear member, the locking aperture having a receiving passageand a retaining recess; wherein, the receiving passage extends inwardlyfrom an outer face of the side wall and the retaining recess is locatedon an inner face of mounting ear such that the receiving passageterminates at retaining recess.
 15. The excavator wear member of claim14, wherein the excavator wear member further comprises a body and amounting ear extending rearwardly of the body, the locking apertureextending through the mounting ear.
 16. The excavator wear member ofclaim 14, wherein a locking face is located at an inner end of theretaining recess.
 17. The excavator wear member of claim 14, wherein apair of slots extend outwardly from diametrically opposed sides of thereceiving passage.
 18. The excavator wear member of claim 14, wherein aramp extends about an inner face of receiving passage.
 19. The excavatorwear member of claim 18, wherein the ramp commences adjacent an outerend of the receiving passage and extends circumferentially about aninner face of receiving passage to terminate adjacent the retainingrecess.
 20. The excavator wear member of claim 14, wherein two rampsextend about an inner face of the receiving passage from diametricallyopposing sides thereof.
 21. The excavator wear member of claim 11,wherein a blind slot extends outwardly of a main portion of theretaining recess.
 22. The excavator wear member of claim 14, wherein thereceiving passage has a generally circular main portion and theretaining recess has a generally circular main portion, wherein thegenerally circular main portion of the receiving passage is concentricwith the generally circular main portion of the retaining recess. 23.The excavator wear member of claim 22, wherein the generally circularmain portion of the retaining recess has a larger diameter than thegenerally circular main portion of the receiving recess.
 24. Anexcavator wear assembly comprising: an excavator wear member having asocket cavity and locking aperture extending through a side wall of theexcavator wear member, the locking aperture having a receiving passageand a retaining recess; a locking pin having at least one dowelextending outwardly therefrom; a retaining member located within theretaining recess of the locking aperture, the retaining member having aseat and a cavity; a biasing member located within the cavity of theretaining member; and an adaptor having a spigot portion located withinthe socket cavity of the excavator wear member and a retaining passage;wherein the locking pin is located through the locking aperture of theexcavator wear member and the retaining passage of the adaptor andwherein the biasing member is adapted to exert a biasing force on thedowel of the locking pin to retain the dowel within the seat of theretaining member to thereby releasably retain the spigot portion of theadaptor within the socket cavity of the excavator wear member.